Our Category: Web 2.0.fuTurE

Sneak Peak: Trax 4

Apple | OS | Software/Freeware | Web 2.0.fuTurE 0 No Comments

Back in June I wrote about a unique application called Trax. At the time it was a very unique and appealing application. It has only gotten better. Since then, the Trax team has been working diligently to get the next version out the door. Let me introduce you to Trax 4. Trax 4 comes loaded with lots of new features and a beautiful UI.

The biggest change to hit the newest version of Trax is the move away from Eye OS. The previous versions were built on top of a web technology called Eye OS. This limited Trax and what features it could support. Now that Trax is it’s own entity, it will provide a much more unique user experience. If you have used Trax 3 you will notice a few similarities. However, they have introduced a few changes to the over all look and feel.

Another great addition to Trax 4 is the App store. The App store gives you access to a wide variety of applications ranging from text editors to multi-media tools. This addition insures that customizing Trax to your liking will be easier then ever.

Although no date has been announced, you can look for the final release as well as more info at: Get-Trax.com

Cuil. The new guy in town.

Web 2.0.fuTurE 1 1 Comment

Google has revolutionized the web. So much in fact that it has become a verb in millions of vocabularies. The uniformity of Google and all that it is makes you feel like it understands the internet and just works. For years the three companies, Google, Yahoo, and MSN/Live Search have tried to dominate the multi-billion dollar search industry. But today enters a new player. One claiming to outdo them all.

Cuil Inc.’s Cuil search engine isn’t holding back. It claims it searches 3 times more sites than Google and 11 times more then Yahoo. A very bold claim, but one they can back up. After spending the better part of a day on it. I would definitely say it searches more then Google. But, in this situation I’m not saying more is better. It’s just more. But there is more than one way to skin a cat. If for instance you’re looking for info on a very scarce subject. Cuil might be a better choice then Google. It might not be exactly what you want but it’s gonna give you everything that even hints at the keyword. I really feel as if they are going for quantity over quality. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing in the search world.

But all in all. Cuil is definitely a viable addition to your search arsenal. It’s unique features and new approach to search can prove to be a great push forward for both companies. A good engine, but not a Google killer.

Splashup, From Splashup.com

Web 2.0.fuTurE 0 No Comments

There are many services on the web that offer you photoshopesque abilities and features. They range from complicated and powerful to simple and lightweight. My favorite is Splashup.com. It’s a pretty good mashup of usability and features.

Splashup runs in all browsers, integrates seamlessly with photosharing sites, and even has its own file format so you can save your work in progress.

It offers all of the basic features I’m used to plus some of the ones I would not expect online. The ability to use layers and filter effects makes it possible to actually create decent looking designs online. Splashup offers a very smooth and useable interface, But honestly, most web 2.0 apps do. It’s completly free and no registration is required. However, if your looking to save work onine the do give you the option to create an account.

Snapplr- No third step required.

Apple | Software/Freeware | Web 2.0.fuTurE 7 7 Comments

The Snapplr app from Snapplr.com is one incredibly smooth piece of software.

-Briksoftware opens beta testing on Snapplr, the smartest way to take and share screenshots.

Snapplr extends Mac OS X’s native screenshooting facilities by providing a very easy way to instantly share screenshots on the Web via any Instant Messaging client or Mail.

The screenshots are hosted on Snapplr’s embedded webserver. This avoids problems caused, for example, by different instant messaging clients. Hosting on Snapplr’s website also bypasses any firewall or router/NAT problem.

Snapplr, by default, is operated exactly like Mac OS X’s screenshoting facilities, integrating perfectly in the user workflow. Unlike the system facilities, however, Snapplr provides an immediate way to share screenshots or mail them via a floating option panel which can operated both by mouse and by keyboard.

Just to give you an idea of how easy it is. I got that picture up there, onto the internet and into my website in less then 5 seconds. I kid you not. It’s nothing but well thought out, well written code and design. Its intuitive nature makes you wanna use it over and over.  It seems like it will be very useful for places like social networks and twitter where picture swapping and sharing is bigger then ever. The really cool thing about the Snapplr app is that it is incredibly lightweight and does not use system resources unless in use.

Supports OS X 10.4 and 10.5 – UB (PPC/Intel)

Read my latest review of Snapplr 1.0 Here.

Google still trying to win over desktop searchers.

Hacks/Mods | Software/Freeware | Web 2.0.fuTurE 0 No Comments

I don’t know about you but I am more then happy with Spotlight in OS X. However, Google seems to think it’s missing a little something. Here enters Precipitate. Precipitate brings spotlight the ability to not only search local documents but also the ability to quickly scan and search your online files as well (Such as the ones in your Google Docs folder). The integration is seamless which is actually something nice and unexpected. If you do find yourself storing many documents and files online. Precipitate may actually help you out.

Download and find more info Here

Google Talk launched for iPhone

Apple | Web 2.0.fuTurE 2 2 Comments

Google just released a Google Talk App designed specifically for the iPhone and iPod Touch. It’s very smooth and well though out. The conversation management and contact list are easy to use and very responsive. The only downfall of this app is that it is yet again another web app. Meaning that if you navigate away from that page you are then out of luck for staying in contact. But why not pick it up and at least give it a try. Just go to www.google.com/talk, on your iPhone/iPod Touch, sign in and start chatting.

Via: Official Google Mobile Blog

An under the hood look at Firefox 3 for Mac

Apple | Software/Freeware | Web 2.0.fuTurE 2 2 Comments

Mozilla Mac developer Josh Aas has written a weblog post discussing some of the under-the-hood improvements specific to the Mac OS X version of Mozilla Firefox 3.
-Josh describes how Firefox 3 has largely switched from Apple’s legacy Carbon API (initially created to make it easier for developers to migrate OS 9 applications to OS X) to the more modern Cocoa. He also details how Firefox 3 delivers native-looking Aqua-style form controls in Web pages and explains how this actually has very little to do with the change to Cocoa.

Finally, Josh covers how graphics in Firefox 3 are drawn using Core Graphics (which encompasses the Quartz technologies) and ATSUI instead of the deprecated QuickDraw (which has been around in some form or another since the original Macintosh was launched in 1984). This change was achieved by replacing the Mac-specific graphics code with the cross-platform cairo library, which uses Core Graphics and ATSUI on OS X. Core Graphics can take advantage of hardware acceleration to improve performance.

All the changes Josh discusses were implemented in version 1.9 of the core Gecko rendering engine (rather than being specific to Firefox 3), so they will also find their way into other Mozilla-based applications, such as Mozilla Thunderbird (version 3.0 will be based on Gecko 1.9) and Camino (though Camino has used modern OS X technologies since its inception, it will benefit further from the upgrade to Gecko 1.9 in Camino 2.0).

You can read Josh’s ful post HERE

Via: MozillaZine

Dofus: The free online MMORPG

Apple | Games | Web 2.0.fuTurE 1 1 Comment

I wasn’t always a fan of RPG’s. But when World of Warcraft came out I became addicted the genre. The most important thing I have learned is that just because the game doesn’t look the best, doesn’t means it’s not one hell of a game. I’ve been playing WoW on and off for the last 4 years. During that time I have experimented with many other RPG’s. My biggest complaint was the $15 a month fee. It’s not that bad but I feel it is a bit higher then necessary. This pricing issue drove me to look for an alternative to WoW. What I found was Dofus. It’s a flash based MMORPG developed by Ankama Games in France. Don’t let the flash issue scare you away. Dofus runs inside of your web browser from a 125MB folder downloaded from the site. This factor alone makes it playable on practically any system. The visuals are quite impressive and it’s not very taxing on your system. You have the option of playing for free but if you have a little extra cash around you can subscribe for $6/month and get access to higher level areas and monsters. The cool thing is they don’t make you pay. You can fool around for free and if you decide you like it you can begin subscribing and get access to the whole world. With over 7 million players world wide. This is defiantly a game you wanna check out.

Get it and more info HERE.

Getting the most out of Appleaddiction.net

Apple | Web 2.0.fuTurE 0 No Comments

Here at Appleaddiction we strive to satisfy your every need. Now thats not as easy as it sounds cause everyone needs something different. But I try. And if your looking for something in particular please let me know by posting it in the comments below. Also, don’t forget about the other aspects of Appleaddiction.net. It’s more then just this one page ya know. Why not take a risk and submit your desktop to our Desktop Image Gallery. I’m also working on building up a good collection of unique Apple Tips in our Tips Section. Another way to get the most out of Appleaddiction.net is to subscribe to our RSS feed which can be found at the bottom of every post. And, if you wanna follow me personally, add me on twitter @ twitter.com/lwestlie

Trax OS. The online OS

Apple | OS | Web 2.0.fuTurE 2 2 Comments

I’m always looking for a new OS to fool around with. This time I got my hands on Trax OS 2.2.Trax is a program which runs on any Mac able to run Safari 3.Trax OS 2.2, brings a new look, more apps, faster load times and more security. Its a simple program which runs a Web Operating System, where you can access your online account to get to files. After registering for a new account (No email required, just type a user name and pass after it is installed) you will be taken to the trax OS home screen. The home screen resembles your standard Mac background, Here you can launch apps and browse your files. The included apps allow for easy web browsing, IM, and honestly anything else(More app info here). Uploading files is a breeze with the included file uploader. And you get 10GBs of free storage for your account. Read More

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